Strengthening Digital Art in the Age of AI

Moreso than anything, digital art has been the "canary in the coalmine" when it comes to AI's encroachment upon creativity. Long before AI voiceovers, music, and even ChatGPT came into popularity, the first glimpses we saw involved digital images, sourced from pre-existing art from across the internet.

With much hand-wringing, we hoped it wouldn't get worse. Outpainting seemed to be the extent of it for a while, and expanding a piece beyond its intended borders didn't seem like much of an overreach. But sure enough, as the exponential nature of technological advancement goes, we watched the present meet the future much too soon.

As one who is primarily a digital artist herself, feeling these first-hand effects was particularly devastating. It's one thing to have the internet saturated with art that is no longer discernable from a real human's -- and altogether another to realize that doubt has been placed on the authenticity of your own work.

This doesn't mean that digital artists would be better off facing reality and hanging up the stylus for good. Even with all the changes surrounding us, there are ample benefits and productive paths forward to using the medium so many of us know and deeply appreciate.

Affordability

You might look at digital tools like the iPad and tablets and think, "Afforable? Really, now?!" And to that I say, yes -- really! Let's look at some of the reasons why digital art provides an affordable, accessible entry point into art (and beyond).

If you've ever taken an art class, you've probably been blown away by the supplies list. It's not only how many different items you need to buy, but particularly the total you get saddled with when you get to the register. Between the tote sketch board, a set of paints, pencils of every density, and several handfuls of Golden acrylic paints -- you were down a pretty penny. Seeing how quickly that tube of Titanium White ran out was a little discouraging, too -- and the more pieces you'd make, with all the learning and experimentation inbetween, the more the costs kept adding up.

This is where the beauty (and equity - hear me out!) of digital art shines through. Want to mix a gorgeous shade of midnight blue with a springy shade of coral? Put the black, blue, red, and yellow paint tubes away and use the color picker to blend away.

Is the piece not going quite the way you hoped? You could paint over your $100 stretched canvas (there goes another tube of Titanium White!), crinkle up yet another piece of sturdy watercolor paper, or cut another page out of your sketchbook. Here comes another option -- just create a new digital canvas with a couple of swift clicks, as often as you need.

There's the matter of the device itself, of course. A brand-new iPad with the biggest screen area, plenty of data, and a nifty Apple pen could run you well into the thousands of dollars. As for the Wacoms, the high-end models such as Cintiqs used by professional artists will have you running into the same issue. With the money it takes to get one, you'll probably have enough tubes of paint to last a lifetime. So what's the upside to it?

Thankfully, artistic technology has come so far that you can still access top-tier technology without having the newest, shiniest gadget in town. No longer do you need to purchase a new tablet to access the latest buttons and features -- simply download the latest version of the Procreate app to get right up to speed with everyone else. This means that refurbished and resold models even just a single generation ago can take you just as far.

I remember receiving my 12.5" iPad for more than half the price this way, as well as a miniature Cintiq that was perfect for storyboarding efficiently. You'll also find that reseller markets, such as Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp, can be excellent places for good deals. Some people want to get the most they can, and others simply want as much out in the spirit of spring cleaning or making their upcoming move less cumbersome. (Just remember to be safe when shopping online, meeting in a public place in the daytime and with a trusted adult if needed.)

Even among the vast array of digital tools, there are plenty of options that are affordable out of the box. Wacom's Bamboo and Cintiq tablets can be all that you need (and was the digital art standard for many years!). To add to it, they're wonderfully ergonomic, allowing the user to maintain a healthy posture while in use. Keep your head and eyes held up straight, and keep the tablet on your lap or table for a setup that's both efficient and kind to the body as well.

When there's a will, there's a way with digital tools -- and if you can secure an affordable deal, you'll find there exists an entire art store at your fingertips that will never go out of stock.

Efficiency

As responsibilities add up and life becomes busier, many of us find that we have less and less time. Whether it's studying, homework, a steady job, or simply caring for life's necessities, fitting in the time to acquire tools and practice our craft isn't easy.

Want to get back to work on that area with the perfect shade of green? Get to mixing, my friend! You'll need to do it every time, and make sure to be quick about it -- the paint won't stay wet for too long. Make a mistake? Back to square one, and on it goes.

With digital tools and their many bells and whistles like Ctrl+Z, this process can be pared down to a matter of seconds. Save colors in your own personalized palette to be used at any time. Use an eyedropper tool to sample a shade you'd like to use and get going immediately. Mess up on the proportions of the person you're drawing? No need to erase and start over -- giddyup with the lasso tool and wrangle with that sketch until your character is a slinky eight heads tall. Use the horizontal flip tool to quickly determine weak spots and make adjustments quickly (a humbling process, always). Techniques like these can significantly reduce learning curves and provide a much less intimidating point of entry to approaches that make have taken unrealistically long to learn in the confines of a modern-day schedule.

Speaking of which, the portable nature of many digital art tools -- especially the iPad -- means that you can get to work and learn while on the go. Take it along with you on public transportation, tucked it into your bag to use on breaks at work, or simply enjoy the benefits that a change of scenery can have on your creativity by taking your work to a coffee shop or even the great outdoors (completely windproof, at that!).

Authenticity

Back to the biggest question in this day and age, briefly touched on in the early part of this post. Acquiring the tools and using them to learn faster than ever possible is all well and good, but how do we establish legitimacy? Can we find a way to prevent our viewers from glazing over our art, thinking that our hard work can be attributed to an algorithm? Let's explore ways to establish authenticity, which has become more important than ever as a digital artist.

A great way to practice this is by adding more "humanity" to your work. While it's trendy to record paintings and drawings done in traditional methods to promote authenticity, the same can be done with digital art as well. Perhaps you wonder if viewers will question if you simply placed AI art into a digital canvas, being wary of all digital methods to be absolutely sure. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to demonstrate your humanity.

Having your hands in view can go a long way in establishing your presence. Demonstrate how your concepts and skills build upon each other -- for instance, adding a grainy texture using a speckled brush to add a natural effect to your work. Show how you build upon simple sketches to map out features and compose the background of your work. Select a palette that provides the perfect sense of atmosphere and immersion in your piece. In short, invite the viewer to "build" with you -- which leads to the next (and perhaps most compelling!) aspect you can provide to your digital work.

Few things captivate a viewer quite like having a front-row seat to the workings of a passionate teacher. There's something endearing about those who don't gatekeep their methods, warmly inviting others to come along for the ride. A certain beloved painter with a bright bushel of hair and no end to his encouraging platitudes comes to mind -- someone who is perhaps remembered for his willingness to share even more so than the lovely landscapes he skillfully guided his watchers through.

Furthermore, consider the development of your personal style and the "branding" that comes along with recognizable visuals. While it's always advised to remain adaptable to many styles, especially if you wish to create work for a wide breadth of clients, having a look that can speak directly to your creative touch will take you especially far in this day and age. This is something that AI continues to have trouble with -- creating a consistent style across many iterations, which serves those who wish to create comics quite well. (Which we'll dive into in an upcoming episode!)

Finally, consider adding your authentic self into your art -- people more than ever want to know about the person behind the art, and there's no clearer way to ensure that viewers can make that direct connection. There are plenty of ways to achieve this without being completely front-facing, too. Perhaps you'd like to show them snippets of your setup, activities as they pertain to your artistic process, and display the things that inspire you -- all of which add up to a sense that we are tucked in your front pocket on this artistic adventure of yours. If you feel comfortable showing your face, make sure to do so in a safe way that protects your privacy and whereabouts, and don't forget to seek the approval and safety of a trusted adult for all our young readers out there.

I'm a big fan of digital art for all the above reasons, and while AI has changed the landscape of our craft significantly, I fully believe that there is always a way to go on if we're creative. Thankfully, that's what we as artists do best -- so I hope that this episode has been helpful in guiding you toward your progress as a digital artist, whether you're just getting started or finding your footing in this new terrain.